Cubs sign free-agent pitcher Tyler Chatwood for 3 years, $38 million

The deal will keep Chatwood at Wrigley Field until the next decade, which is a good move for Chicago since they're certainly losing Jake Arrieta to free agency and needed to replace him with someone of the same caliber.

Adding Chatwood boosts a rotation that will likely lose former Cy Young Award victor Jake Arrieta and veteran John Lackey.

On Thursday, Chicago took a big step toward improving their rotation by agreeing to a three-year contract with free agent righty Tyler Chatwood.

Chatwood, 27, was 8-15 with a 4.69 ERA in 33 appearances (25 starts) for the Colorado Rockies last season. Factoring in ballpark and season, Chatwood still finished last season with an above-average ERA+ of 107, per Baseball Reference.

Part of the Cubs' belief is that Chatwood will find more consistency away from Coors Field. He registered a 6.01 ERA and allowed foes to hit.302 at Coors Field last season. Chatwood missed much of 2014 and the entire 2015 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Chatwood, 27, is 40-46 with two saves and a 4.31 ERA in 130 major-league appearances - including 113 starts - with the Angels (2011) and Rockies (2012-14, 2016-17).